22:34 (Y. Ali) To every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice), that they might celebrate the name of Allah over the sustenance He gave them from animals (fit for food). But your Allah is One Allah. submit then your wills to Him (in Islam): and give thou the good news to those who humble themselves,-

22:37 (Y. Ali) It is not their meat nor their blood, that reaches Allah. it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you, that ye may glorify Allah for His Guidance to you and proclaim the good news to all who do right.

Anas (radhiallaahu `anhu) reported that upon arriving in al-Madeenah, the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) found its people celebrating two days whose significance was held over the Jaahiliyyah. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: “When I came upon you, you had two days that you continued to celebrate from the Jaahiliyyah; indeed Allaah has substituted them for you with what is better: the day of Sacrifice and the day of Fitr (breaking the fast). [Ahmad, Abu Dawud and others; authentic]

The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is reported to have said: Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die. (Ibn Majah)

Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I prayed on `Eid Al-Adha with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and when he finished (the prayer), he was brought two rams, and he sacrificed them. He said, ‘In the Name of Allah, Allah is Most Great. This is on behalf of myself and any member of my Ummah who did not offer a sacrifice.” (Sunan Abi Dawud bi Sharh Muhammad Shams al-Haq Abadi, 7/486)

Eid ul Adha salaah in Masjid Haram

Action Plan

EID-AL-ADHA is celebrated on the tenth day of Zilhijjah, the 12th and the last month of the Islamic calendar. It is also very joyous day; it is a feast of self-sacrifice, commitment and obedience to Allah. It commemorates the great act of obedience to Allah by the Prophet Ibrahim (as) in showing his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael (as). Allah accepted his sacrifice and replaced Prophet Ismael (as) with a lamb. Although Hajj has no relation with the Eid-al-Adha, but the five days long rituals of Hajj are also done during this month culminating on 9th of Zil Haj/Dhil Haj. Many rituals of Hajj are enactment of the struggle of the family Ibrahim (as) specially his second wife Hajirah (as) and her son Prophet Ismael (as).

Sunnah of Eid

1.Wake up early.
2. Prepare for personal cleanliness, take care of details of clothing, etc.
3. Take a Ghusl (bath) after Fajr.
4. Brush your teeth. Preferably with a miswak
5. Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones.
6. Use perfume (men only).
7. On Eid-al-Adha, eat breakfast after Salaat or after sacrifice if you are doing a sacrifice.
8. Go to prayer ground early.
9. Offer Salaat-al-Eid in congregation in an open place except when whether is not permitting like rain, snow, etc.
10. Use two separate route to and from the prayer ground.
11. Recite the following Takbir on the way to Salaat and until the beginning of Salaat-al-Eid:
Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. Wa-lilahill hamd.

(Allah is great, Allah is great. There is no god but Allah. Allah is great, Allah is great. And all praises are for Allah).

13. Distribute the meat of the sacrifice among the poor, friends, relatives and neighbors and also to cook and eat the meat of sacrifice.

STRUCTURE OF SALAAT-AL-EID: Salaat-al-Eid is wajib (strongly recommended, just short of obligatory). It consists of two Rakaat (units) with six or thirteen additional Takbirs. It must be offered in congregation. The Salaat is followed by the Khutbah. The Khutbah is part of the worship and listening to it is Sunnah. During the Khutbah, the Imam must remind the community about its responsibilities and obligations towards Allah, fellow Muslims and the fellow human beings. The Imam must encourage the Muslims to do good and ward off evil. The Muslim community must also be directed to the state of the community and the Ummah at large.

At the conclusion of the Salaat the

Muslims should convey greetings to each other,

give reasonable gifts to the youngsters and

visit each other at their homes.

Muslims should also take this opportunity to invite their non-Muslims neighbors, muslims that have entered the fold of islam, co-workers, classmates and business acquaintances to Eid festivities to expose them to Islam and Muslim culture.

You are not allowed to fast on the days of Eid.

NB: Always remember when doing a good deed, have the correct intention/niyyah, do it for Allah’s pleasure with sincerity. May all our good deeds be accepted. InshaAllah.